Organised by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, co-organised by HKET Holdings and the Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund, the “Gathering Young Talent, Making a Difference” GBA Youth Development Forum 2022 (‘the Forum”) was held today at the Conrad Hotel. Bringing together youth leaders from across Hong Kong, the Forum highlighted opportunities in the GBA for young people in the fields of innovation and technology, fintech, culture and sports. More than 700 young people, including high school students and undergraduates attended (also through online) to learn about pursuing a career or further studies in the Greater Bay Area, where they can fulfil their true potential.

Officiating at the Forum were Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Zhang Zhihua, Director General of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Chairman of  Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Deputy Chairman of Sino Group), Dr Hu Zhanghong, JP, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited and Director of the Financial Services Development Council, and Ms Salome See Sau-mei, Group Managing Director of Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings and Managing Director of ET Net.

Other guests attended were Mr Kenneth Fok, Executive Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Member of the Legislative Council, Vice President of the Fok Ying Tung Group), and Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation included Mr Adam Kwok (Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), Mr Christopher Kwok (Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), Mr Alex Yeung (Vice Chairman of Emperor Group) and Mr Calvin Choi (Chairman of AMTD Group), as well as Mr Vincent Yu, Managing Director of China Merchants Capital and Mr Yang Bin, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation.

 

Guest speakers who delivered keynote speeches: (In no particular order)

1. Mr Hendrick Sin, Co-founder, Executive Director and Vice Chairman of CMGE Technology Group Limited
2. Mr Michael Li, Co-founder & Director of Titanology Limited
3. Mr Stark Chan, Founder of Bull.B Technology Limited
4. Mr Eric Yeung, Founding President of Esports Association Hong Kong
5. Ms Cindy Chow, Executive Director of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund
6. Mr Tat Lee, Chief Executive & Executive Director of WeLab Bank
7. Mr Winston Wong, Co-founder & CEO of Qupital
8. Mr Fred Ngan, Co-founder, Co-CEO and Director of Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited
9. Mr Kenneth Fok, Member of the Legislative Council (Functional Constituency -  Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication)
10. Mr Mathias Woo, Artistic cum Executive Director, Zuni Icosahedron, Convener of the “HK Belt Road City to City Cultural Exchange Conference”
11. Mr William Keong, Executive Director of Manner Culture Limited
12. Ms Prudence Mak, Founder & Creative Director of Chocolate Rain
13. Ms Vincci Hui, Former Olympian for Hong Kong Triathlon; 2-time Olympic Games TV Program Host and Commentator

 

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, GBS,IDSM,JP said, "President Xi Jinping, speaking in Hong Kong on July 1, highlighted the importance of our young people, said, ‘Hong Kong will prosper only when its young people thrive; Hong Kong will develop only when its young people achieve well-rounded development, and Hong Kong will have a bright future only when its young people have good prospects’. The development of a nation is inseparable from focusing on youth, gathering talents and seeking innovation. The theme of today's forum, ‘Gathering Young Talents, Making a Difference’, echoes President Xi's call for young people: strive for innovation, develop a strong sense of responsibility, and contribute to the future of Hong Kong and our nation.” 

Mr Tsang hopes that young people become a new generation who loves Hong Kong and our nation, and participate actively in the integration with the overall development of the nation. Young people should make use of the advantages of "one country, two systems" in creating a bigger stage for development. He also encouraged young people to keep an open mind, equip themselves and seize opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. With the nation's support, young people will have enormous opportunities to realise their dreams with a view to making contribution to the nation, serving Hong Kong, and becoming pillars of the world.

Mr Zhang Zhihua, Director General of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, put forward three propositions in his speech: “Firstly, I hope Hong Kong youth can seize the GBA development opportunities and build it up together. By unleashing their potential in a bigger stage, this helps them to step into the world platform; Secondly, I hope that all community sectors will care about the youth, make use of the greater platform of GBA to nurture them and help the underprivileged by providing internship and employment opportunities; Finally, I hope young people will seize the opportunities to integrate into the nation's development and build their dreams in the GBA.”

Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, said, “The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area issued by the Central Government in 2019 has made the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the ‘GBA’) a national strategy. With its enormous potential for growth, the GBA offers unprecedented opportunities for Hong Kong Youth. The National 14th Five‑Year Plan has supported the development of Hong Kong into ‘eight centres’ capitalising on its strengths. Through today’s Forum ‘Gathering Young Talent, Making a Difference’, we provided an interactive platform to discuss and promote the continuous development of society. Young people are the future of our society, our Foundation will continue to support and nurture Hong Kong youth to become the pivotal forces in the development of the Greater Bay Area.”

 

Topic 1 - New Realm of Innovative Technology – Fintech Talent to Embrace Enormous Opportunities

The rapid development of the GBA has opened up a broader space for young people to seize new development opportunities. Young people interested in innovative technology should adopt professional, candid, pragmatic, and change-oriented attitudes, make good use of the resources provided in the GBA, and industrialise their innovations in a creative and entrepreneurial environment. This Forum allowed young entrepreneurs to better understand the policies and preferential measures available to them in the GBA, such as an incubation programmes and venture capital funds.

 

Topic 2 - New Era in Finance – Digital Technology and Innovation in Financial Services

Digital technology is driving innovation in global financial services, changing business models and users' expectations. As an international financial centre, Hong Kong offers a unique environment, backed by Mainland China and open to the world. Hong Kong should leverage on its strengths, for further development in financial technology to create more opportunities for young people. Speakers encouraged young people interested in finance or information technology to use their knowledge in finance, information, operation and management to become the new generation of Fintech talent.

 

Topic 3 - New Perspectives on Culture and Sports - Promote the Diversified and Integrated Development of Culture and Sports

As an international city in the GBA, Hong Kong has an important role to play in the development of culture and sports through the integration of hardware, software and ‘heartware’. This panel discussion focused on how Hong Kong can position itself in the GBA to promote the development of cultural and sports industries, to inspire young people and create diversified opportunities for them. Accelerating the two-way exchange of cultural and sports talent between Hong Kong and the Mainland, Hong Kong can become a cultural exchange centre between East and West.

 

Today’s Forum provided an interactive platform for youth leaders from different sectors to discuss the important role of Hong Kong in the Greater Bay Area. During their discussions, they shared their views on how the continuous development of the region would benefit Hong Kong youth by allowing them to widen their perspectives, achieve their personal goals and contribute to the sustainable growth of the community. The Forum ended with very positive responses.

 

Photos captions of GBA Youth Development Forum 2022 

1. Photo of the officiating guests and the organiser. (From Left) Dr Hu Zhanghong, JP, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited and Director of the Financial Services Development Council, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, and Ms Salome See Sau-mei, Group Managing Director of Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings and Managing Director of ET Net.

 

2. (From Left) Mr Vincent Yu, Managing Director of China Merchants Capital, Mr Alex Yeung, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Vice Chairman of Emperor Group), Mr Adam Kwok, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), Dr Hu Zhanghong, JP, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited and Director of the Financial Services Development Council, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, Ms Salome See Sau-mei, Group Managing Director of Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings and Managing Director of ET Net, Mr Kenneth Fok, Executive Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Member of the Legislative Council, Vice President of the Fok Ying Tung Group), Mr Christopher Kwok, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), Mr Calvin Choi, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Chairman of AMTD Group), Mr Yang Bin, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation.

 

3. (Front Row From Left) Mr Vincent Yu, Managing Director of China Merchants Capital, Mr Alex Yeung, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Vice Chairman of Emperor Group), Mr Adam Kwok, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), Dr Hu Zhanghong, JP, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited and Director of the Financial Services Development Council, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, Ms Salome See Sau-mei, Group Managing Director of Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings and Managing Director of ET Net, Mr Kenneth Fok, Executive Vice Chairman of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Member of the Legislative Council, Vice President of the Fok Ying Tung Group), Mr Christopher Kwok, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), Mr Calvin Choi, Vice Chairmen of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (Chairman of AMTD Group) and Mr Yang Bin, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation. (Second Row From Left) Ms Vincci Hui, Former Olympian for Hong Kong Triathlon; 2-time Olympic Games TV Program Host and Commentator, Mr Mathias Woo, Artistic cum Executive Director, Zuni Icosahedron, Convener of the “HK Belt Road City to City Cultural Exchange Conference”, Mr Fred Ngan, Co-founder, Co-CEO and Director of Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited, Mr Tat Lee, Chief Executive & Executive Director of WeLab Bank, Mr Eric Yeung, Founding President of Esports Association Hong Kong, Mr Michael Li, Co-founder & Director of Titanology Limited, Mr Hendrick Sin, Co-founder, Executive Director and Vice Chairman of CMGE Technology Group Limited, Mr Stark Chan, Founder of Bull.B Technology Limited, Ms Cindy Chow, Executive Director of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Mr Winston Wong, Co-founder & CEO of Qupital, Mr William Keong, Executive Director of Manner Culture Limited, and Ms Prudence Mak, Founder & Creative Director of Chocolate Rain.

 

4. Group photo of GBA Youth Development Forum 2022 “Gathering Young Talent, Making a Difference”.